Firestarter (1984)

“Firestarter” is another fun Stephen King novel that was turned into a movie in the early 1980’s, starring a young Drew Barrymore as Charlie, a girl who can create and control fire and heat. It also stars Martin Sheen in his second role as a Stephen King villain, this time in charge of the secret government agency known as The Shop, and George C. Scott as the deadly John Rainbird. It’s an easy movie to follow and understand and is simply fun to watch. Stephen King’s story is similar to “Carrie” in regards that both girls have mental powers but this film explores the “how’s and why’s” which allowed this movie to feel fresh and new.

College student Andrew McGee meets Victoria at a clinical study group that needed volunteers to test a new drug called Lot-6. They both survive the testing and discover that they have developed various mental powers. They get married and have a daughter together who ends up having a very dangerous and powerful mental gift, pyrokinesis, the ability to manipulate and create fire and heat. The government agency that performed the original testing is known as The Shop, and they become interested in harnessing the power their daughter Charlie has. The Shop kills Victoria and tries to kidnap Charlie but Andrew arrives in time to save her and the two go into hiding, trying to stay ahead of The Shop. They are eventually subdued and taken to The Shop itself where they are separated and coerced into demonstrating their abilities to the scientists there. But it’s only a matter of time before father and daughter are able to find a way to reunite and try to escape, but The Shop has other plans in mind…

Charlie unleashing her powers

John Rainbird, the assassin or the friend?

Charlie and Andrew on the run